Thoughts and stories, by Pal

I think tonight I'll talk a bit about the Old Testament.  That is what we will be studying this year in Sunday School.  I have always loved the story about Adam and Eve, especially since I began going to the Temple.  It is interesting that human nature is the same yesterday, today, and forever!  Of course the culture and circumstances we find ourselves in are different, but there are always people who are kind, or not kind, are congenial, or argumentative.  There are people who want to ignore the wisdom from our Heavenly Father, and try to "prove" their own ideas are better, etc. etc.  Also, there are always people who want to be obedient, and are reaping the blessings that come with it.  Yes, that choice group of people often have unusual challenges and adversities, but the peace of the Gospel supports them in all aspects of their lives.                                 ...

This year we will study the teachings of President Joseph Fielding Smith.  I remember President Joseph Fielding Smith when he was an apostle.  We had the vague impression that he was very strict, and that he would be that way if he became the Prophet.  NOT SO!  He was so kind, and perhaps the reason we misunderstood him was that he was so obedient, it seemed unbelieveable.  I really enjoyed the article about him in the new January 2014 Ensign.  I'll quote a bit from it: When 33-year-old Joseph Fielding Smith entered the Salt Lake Tabernacle on April 6, 1910, to attend general conference, an usher said to him, “Well Joseph, who is the new apostle to be?” “I don’t know,” replied Joseph. “But it won’t be you and it won’t be me!”   As the names of the Twelve Apostles were being read for a sustaining vote, Joseph suddenly received an impression that his name might be the next one mentioned. It was, and he was then sustained as the 12th man in t...

I mentioned on Sunday Dec. 9th, 2013, in blog # 29 that I would write about my grandfather, William Gustavus Miles, who was 11 years old when his family moved down to be pioneers in 1862, in St. George.  (They were called 1 year after the original settlers came -- as a support group.  His wife Paralee's family were in the 1861 group who first came, -- when she was 4 years old.) I'll include some of his history here from his history written by his daughter Sarah, my father Pratt's sister: INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF WILLIAM GUSTAVUS MILES WRITTEN BY HIS DAUGHTER, SARAH MILES WALLACE. William Gustavis Miles was born at Salt Lake City, Utah, the first child of Samuel Miles Jr. And Hannah Colborn Miles.  He was born of goodly parents, his grandparents on both sides being faithful Latter-day Saints until the day of their death, as was his parents.  His father Samuel, was only seven years of age at the time the family joined the Church and when ten years of age Samuel ...

Today I have been feeling especially thankful for all my blessings.  I know there are so many people in this world struggling in one way or another.  There are those without the necessities of life, and those who are struggling with relationships, job problems, family stresses, loss of comforts of life, etc.  I am so grateful when I am able to help someone with their problems in one way or another.  My life has had many problems, ups and downs, and now I have come to a point where I realize that I have had the help of the Lord in every day life, as well as the big problems that have come in life.     I know that everyone in this world can have the same blessings of peace in this life.  If we try to face each day, and make it the best we can, the future takes care of itself.  I guess Wayne and I are optimists!  I do believe that the problems that come to us "give us experience," and are for our good.  And by doing the best we can w...

Dear family and friends,  It's almost 12:27 a.m., and I am so tired.  We had family and friends here and played games until midnight.  I will write more in the morning, when I can think!  I will just post a fun family photo or two, and tell you all how much I love our dear family, and all the dear people we know -- and don't know!  I know this Gospel is true, and that is my testimony for the beginning of this New Year! ! ! These dear babies are now in college, Anita and Sam on the left, and Tacy, Jordan, and Calli on the right, who has her degree as a registered nurse.    Probably about 21 years ago! This is Allen and Holli, and Chris, their son now 27!   This dear grandson below, Nicholas Pratt Kramer (named after my dad) is 33 this New Year's Day!  We wondered just before he was born if he would be the New Year baby, but he wasn't born until about 9  a.m.                 ...

I enjoyed this article in Meridian Magazine today, and I thought it could relate to acting on our good intentions as far as New Year's resolutions are concerned also.  If we have anyone in a care center that we have thought of visiting, or even calling on the phone, let's do it today, before the New Year 2014 begins! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL YOU DEAR PEOPLE, AND BE SAFE TONIGHT!  WE WILL BE PLAYING GAMES HERE FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE AT OUR HOME IN ST. GEORGE, UTAH -- IF YOU LIVE CLOSE AND DON'T HAVE PLANS, CALL US, AND INVITE YOURSELF!      Home     LDS Church     Personal Voice    Acting On Good Intentions Tuesday, December 31 2013 Acting On Good Intentions By Daris Howard Comment on Article My dad used to say that good intentions are never enough; they must be acted upon. Still, I find myself too often with good intentions which I don’t follow through on. That was wha...

I'm posting this early so you can use ideas for tonight's Family Home Evening, if you want to. This time of year always brings me the feeling of looking back over my recent past, and wanting to improve myself in several areas.  I ran across  what I consider to be a gem -- below -- a daily free newsletter from LDS Living -- I am posting it below, because it gives free ideas each week for family home evening lessons, and other LDS items.  You can each sign up for it if you want to also.  This one is for New Year's!             This is a photo of Christmas, 1958, when Wayne M. was 2, and Delsy 7 months . I haven't been a person that gets too involved in New Year's resolutions, as I have a hard time keeping them!  However, I have decided on some things that I will really try harder to do this coming year.  Writing this blog daily has been a lesson on self discipline to me -- Hope it carries over ! !  1.  G...